Citation

Hösükler E, Hosukler B, Çoban, Koc S. Egypt. J. Forensic Sci. 2022; 12(1).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Forensic Medicine Authority of Egypt, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1186/s41935-022-00269-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The use of more than one potentially lethal method together and sequentially to complete suicide is called "complex suicide." Complex suicides are divided into two groups: planned and unplanned. This study aimed to discuss with literature 21 complex suicide cases identified after a 2-year retrospective study.

RESULTS: This study included 21 complex suicide cases. Eleven were classified as planned complex suicides, and 10 were labeled as unplanned complex suicides. The average age of all cases was 42.5 ± 17.7 (min: 19, max: 76) years. Suicide notes were present in six (28.5%) cases. Fifteen victims (71.4%) suffered from psychiatric diseases. Twelve victims ingested a toxic dose of medication, nine cases jumped from a height, eight cases used stabbing, six cases used hanging, two cases ingested a corrosive substance, two cases drowned, two cases inhaled a toxic gas, one case ingested cyanide, one case ingested insecticide, and one case used suffocation with a plastic bag. In two cases, three methods of suicide were used together. In the current study, "corrosive substance intake + cyanide intoxication" and "corrosive substance intake + jumping from a height" were defined for the first time and have not been previously described in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS: Complex suicides are highly likely to be potentially mistaken for murder. The cause of death in these cases can be determined with a comprehensive autopsy along with a detailed examination of the scene, statements of relatives, and eyewitnesses. © 2022, The Author(s).

Language: en

Keywords

Autopsy; Complex suicide; Forensic medicine; Planned complex suicide; Unplanned complex suicide